Loading...
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa
In the imperial Gazetteer of India 1878, Pusa was recorded as a government estate of about 1350 acres in Darbhanba. It was acquired by East India Company for running a stud farm to supply better breed of horses mainly for the army. Frequent incidence of glanders disease (swelling of glands), mostly affecting the valuable imported bloodstock made the civil veterinary department to shift the entire stock out of Pusa. A British tobacco concern Beg Sutherland & co. got the estate on lease but it also left in 1897 abandoning the government estate of Pusa.
Lord Mayo, The Viceroy and Governor General, had been repeatedly trying to get through his proposal for setting up a directorate general of Agriculture that would take care of the soil and its productivity, formulate newer techniques of cultivation, improve the quality of seeds and livestock and also arrange for imparting agricultural education. The government of India had invited a British expert. Dr. J. A. Voelcker who had submitted as report on the development of Indian agriculture. As a follow-up action, three experts in different fields were appointed for the first time during 1885 to 1895 namely, agricultural chemist (Dr. J. W. Leafer), cryptogamic botanist (Dr. R. A. Butler) and entomologist (Dr. H. Maxwell Lefroy) with headquarters at Dehradun (U.P.) in the forest Research Institute complex.
Surprisingly, until now Pusa, which was destined to become the centre of agricultural revolution in the country, was lying as before an abandoned government estate. In 1898. Lord Curzon took over as the viceroy. A widely traveled person and an administrator, he salvaged out the earlier proposal and got London’s approval for the appointment of the inspector General of Agriculture to which the first incumbent Mr. J. Mollison (Dy. Director of Agriculture, Bombay) joined in 1901 with headquarters at Nagpur
The then government of Bengal had mooted in 1902 a proposal to the centre for setting up a model cattle farm for improving the dilapidated condition of the livestock at Pusa estate where plenty of land, water and feed would be available, and with Mr. Mollison’s support this was accepted in principle. Around Pusa, there were many British planters and also an indigo research centre Dalsing Sarai (near Pusa). Mr. Mollison’s visits to this mini British kingdom and his strong recommendations. In favour of Pusa as the most ideal place for the Bengal government project obviously caught the attention for the viceroy.
Browse
8 results
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access Production and marketing of Cauliflower in Samastipur district: an economic analysis(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar), 2018) Kumari, Renu; Mishra, R.R.The present study aims at analyzing economic aspects with respect to Production and marketing of cauliflower in Samastipur district of Bihar, both primary data and secondary data from the base of the study. Primary data were collected from 100 cauliflower growers, located in five randomly selected villages of purposively selected Pusa block and Kalyanpur block of Samastipur district. The respondents were grouped into four farm size categories viz. marginal, small, medium and large farmers based on their size of holding. The results of the investigation indicated that average age of sample cauliflower growers was around 48 years. The number of family members in two-thirds of the sample households, varied between 5 and 7. About one-half of the respondents were secondary educated and one-third of them were educated up to primary level, while 8 per cent of them were illiterate. Majority of respondents were from OBC caste group. Average size of land holding was estimated at 1.56 hectares. It was found that proportion of cows and she-buffaloes increased with increasing size of farm. In contrast proportion of bullocks declined with increase in farm size. Indicating higher dependence of larger farm size households on machinery for agricultural operations. A positive correlation was noticed between the size of farms, value of implements and machinery. The gross- cropped area per sample households increased with increasing size of farm. Vegetables were grown in around one-fourth of the gross-cropped area. Out of the total area under vegetable major chunk was under cauliflowers. Agriculture, dairying, business and service were identified as important source of income to the sample households. Crop production emerged as the most important source of income, while contribution from total vegetables was 46.99 per cent of the total income. Cauliflower alone contributed 87.66 per cent of the total income from vegetables. Significant positive growth in area, production and productivity of cauliflower in Bihar was observed during the period 2001-02 to 2015-16, the area under cauliflower increased at the rate of 0.47 per cent per annum and 0.36 per cent per annum in period II and III, but in period I, it decreased at the rate of 0.04 per cent during period I. Growth in productivity of cauliflower registered an increasing trend during period I and II but it decreased at the rate of 2.14 per cent during period III. Production of cauliflower witnessed all most similar trend, during all the periods under consideration. The growth in area, production and productivity of cauliflower exhibited almost similar trend in case of Samastipur district. The cost of cultivation of cauliflower was estimated at Rs. 46257.71 per hectare, out of which variable cost accounted for 67.73 per cent and fixed cost made up remaining 32.27 per cent. In terms of cost concepts cost C3 was estimated at Rs.50883.49. About 99.00 per cent of the produced was found to be marketed surplus in cauliflower. Three marketing channels were identified for marketing of cauliflower in the study area. The channels were, channel-I (Producer-consumer), channel-II (Producer-wholesaler-retailer-consumer), and channel-III (Producer-commission agent (bazaar samiti)-wholesaler-retailer (distant market)-consumer). Out of the three channels channel-III was observed to be the most important channel as more than 50.00 per cent of produce was marketed through this channel alone. Producer‟s share in consumer‟s rupees was noticed to be higher (95.82 per cent) in channel-I, than that in channel-II (73.82 per cent) and channel-III (56.67 per cent). The marketing efficiency of channel-I, channel-II and channel-III was observed to be 22.91, 2.82 and 1.31, respectively. It indicated that marketing channel-I operated more efficiently in comparison with channel-II and channel-III. The mean level of TE, AE and CE suggested that there is considerable for decreasing inputs and thereby reducing the cost of cauliflower cultivation. Provision of liberal credit to the cauliflower growers installation of market information system. Development of infrastructural facilities (cold storage, pool-chain, refrigerated van) etc. Re-enactment of APMC act etcetera will go a long way in improving the marketing of cauliflower in the study area.ThesisItem Open Access Study on economics of Makhana production: a village level approach(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar), 2018) Sharma, Amardeep; Mishra, R.R.The present study entitled with “A Study on Economics of Makhana Production, A village level approach” was undertaken in Manigachhi block of Darbhanga district and Andhrathari block of Madhubani district of Bihar. The study is based on both primary data and secondary data. Primary data were collected from 30 Makhana growers spread over ten randomly selected villages of two purposively selected blocks with larger area under Makhana using interview method. The respondents were classified into marginal, small, medium and large Makhana growers on the basis of pond area. The study revealed that overall area under Makhana cultivation in Darbhanga and Madhubani districts decreased by 1.59 per cent and 1.15 per cent respectively in 2017 over that in 2012. Production of Makhana in Darbhanga and Madhubani districts remained almost stagnant during the same period. However, the productivity of Makhana increased at the rate of 2.24 per cent in case of Darbhanga district and 1.42 per cent in case of Madhubani district during the same period mainly on account of improvement in technology. It was observed that majority of the respondents (70.00 per cent) belonged to middle age group (i.e. 30 to 50 years).More than one-half of the sample Makhana growers had medium size families with 5 to 7 members. Two-thirds of the sample respondents were found to be illiterate. All the Makhana growers came from a single caste called „Mallah‟. Members of this particular caste had in-born skill in fishing and Makhana growing. The average land holding of sample respondents in the study area was 1.59 hectares. In the study area, larger proportions of respondents (46.67 per cent) were mainly dependent on Makhana cultivation, fishing along with agriculture for their living. More than 60.00 per cent of respondents had annual income less than Rs.2.5 lakh. Makhana growing, farming, fishing and dairying were found to be important sources of income to the respondent households. Out of these growing Makhana was the most important activity giving more than 50.00 per cent of total income to the Makhana grower household. It was found that more than one-half of the marginal Makhana growers raised cows as raising cows was a low cost affair and gave handsome returns to the concerned households. Thus raising cows was a cheap source of additional income to these households and the income from raising cows helped meet day-to-day expenditure of these households. The study further revealed that cost of cultivation of Makhana was found to be Rs.57370.50 Gross return, per hectare of Makhana pond was observed Rs.171630.00. Net returns over Cost A was worked to beRs.117344.80, over Cost B it was Rs.105739.70 and over Cost C it was Rs.103617.24. Benefit- Cost ratio came out to be 2.16, 1.60 and 1.52 over Cost A, Cost B and Cost C respectively. On an average, per hectare of pond, family labour income and farm business income amounted to Rs.116381.96 and Rs.105379.57 respectively. While turn-over rate, percentage return over working capital and percentage return over fixed capital per hectare of pond worked out to be 299.16 per cent, 201.93 per cent and 200.36 per cent. Producer‟s share in consumer‟s rupee was higher in channel I (61.80 per cent) than that in channel II (50.86 per cent) and channel III (41.64 per cent). Total marketing cost was higher in channel III (Rs. 274.87) as compared to that in channel II (Rs. 177.00) and channel I (Rs. 114.34) while marketing margin was higher Rs. 75.82 in channel III than that in channel II and channel I. Marketing efficiency of channel I was estimated as 1.61 which was more than that for channel II and in I i.e. 1.03 and 0.71 respectively. No ownership of pond, lack of skilled labour and lack of recommended package of practices of Makhana were identified as major constraints in production of Makhana in the study area. Two main constraints i.e. lack of skilled labour and lack of processing machine in processing and lack of storage facility, high price fluctuation, non-fixation of MSP of Makhana were found major problems in marketing faced by Makhana growers in the study area.ThesisItem Open Access Performance of Kisan Credit Card Scheme in Bihar with special reference to Madhubani district(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar), 2018) Gautam, Krishna Kumar; Mishra, R.R.The present study is assessing aimed at Performance of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme in Ghoghardhia block and Phulparas block of Madhubani district in Bihar. The study is based on primary data collected from 50 KCC and 50 non-KCC holder farmers from four villages namely, Ratoli, Sudai, Murli and Navtol. The study revealed that average age of KCC and non- KCC holder respondents was estimated as 48.76 years and 45.33 years respectively. The ages of majority of KCC and non-KCC holders were in the middle age group (41 to 55 years). Majority of KCC holders (27 out of 50 i.e 54.00 per cent) belonged to medium size families with 5 to 10 members. Majority of non-KCC holders also belonged to medium size families. Larger proportion of KCC holders were secondary educated followed by those educated upto primary level. Larger proportion of non-KCC holders were educated upto primary level followed by secondary educated respondents. Dominance of respondents belonging to Other Backward Castes was observed among KCC holder and non-KCC holder farmers. The average owned land holding of KCC and non-KCC holders in the study area was 1.16 ha and 1.14 ha, respectively. Majority of the KCC and non-KCC holders were having mixed type of houses. The overall annual income of KCC and non-KCC Rs 232600 and Rs 204040 respectively. It was observed that annual income of KCC holder and non-KCC holders increased with increasing size of farm. Agriculture and business and agriculture and dairy were the two most important occupation mixes adopted by the KCC holders. Agriculture, business and goatry and agriculture and dairy emerged as the two important occupation mixes for non-KCC holders. The cost of cultivation of paddy in the study area was found to be Rs 14856.45 and Rs 13621.22 per acre, out of that Rs 12534.18 (84.37 per cent) and Rs 11342.92 (83.27 per cent) was operational cost and remaining Rs 2322.27 (15.63 per cent) and Rs 2278.30 (16.73 per cent) was share of overhead cost for KCC and non-KCC holders, respectively. The gross return per acre was Rs 20323.64 and Rs 18287.94 for KCC and non-KCC holders, respectively and net income was Rs 5467.19 and Rs 4666.72 for KCC and non-KCC holders, respectively. The output input ratio was calculated to be 1.37 and 1.34 for KCC and non-KCC holders, respectively. The cost of production was Rs 821.95 and Rs 802.84 for main product and Rs 214.07 and Rs 214.04 for by-product for KCC and non-KCC holders, respectively. The cost of cultivation of wheat in the study area was estimated to be Rs 15409.40 and Rs 14268.93 per acre, out of that Rs 13087.13 (84.93 per cent) and Rs 11990.63 (84.03 per cent) was operational cost and remaining Rs 2322.27(15.07 per cent) and Rs 2278.30 (15.97 per cent) was share of overhead cost for KCC and non-KCC holders, respectively. The gross return per acre was Rs 18156.18 and Rs 16498.40 for KCC and non-KCC holders, respectively and net income was Rs 2746.78 and Rs 2229.47 for KCC and non-KCC holders, respectively. The output input ratio was calculated to be 1.18 and 1.16 for KCC and non-KCC holders, respectively. The cost of production was Rs 1122.28 and Rs 1089.70 for main product and Rs 330.29 and Rs 328.88 for by-product for KCC and non-KCC holders, respectively. KCC cards were issued to the farmers of Bihar by three financial institutions namely Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Co-operative Banks. The share of these institutions in total KCCs issued was 47.24 per cent, 39.69 per cent and 13.06 per cent respectively. The number KCCs issued increased at the rate of 9 per cent per annum in case of Commercial Banks, 15 per cent in case of Regional Rural Banks and declined at the rate of 3 per cent in case of Co-operative Banks. These three institutions accounted for 50.27 per cent, 7016 per cent and 64.59 per cent respectively in the total credit advanced to the KCC holders of the state. The credit given by these institutions grew at the rate of 4 per cent, 1 per cent and 7 per cent respectively. The share of Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Co-operative Banks in total KCCs issued to the farmers of Madhubani district was 18 per cent, 59 per cent and 23 per cent respectively. The number of KCCs changed at the rate of 9 per cent, 5 per cent and -2 per cent per annum in case of these three institutions respectively. Similarly, the share of these institutions in disbursement of KCC credit was 36.15 per cent, 50.68 per cent and 13.17 per cent per annum respectively which increased at the rate of 13 per cent, 86 per cent and -7 per cent respectively. Logit Model was used to identify the socio-economic characteristics affecting adoption of KCC Scheme. The effect of education and occupation of household heads was found positive and significant. Important constraints reported by KCC holders in adoption f KCC Scheme faced by them were high interest rate charged by the financial institutions, non-availability of loan on time, lengthy paper work etc. Important constraints reported by non-KCC holders were difficulty in opening bank account, easy access to non-institutional credit etc.ThesisItem Open Access Dynamics of pulse production in Madhubani district of Bihar(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar), 2018) Nidhi; Mishra, R.R.The present study has explored the growth and dynamics of production in Bihar and also Madhubani district of Bihar for the overall period(2000-01 to 2015-16) and two sub periods i.e. period I(2000-01 to 2007-08) and period II(2007-08 to 2015-16).The annual compound growth rate in area of the pulse crops in Bihar reduced in period I(2000-01 to 2007-08) and also the same trend maybe observed in case of growth in area during period II(2007-08 to 2015-16). The analysis of related data for overall period i.e. from (2000-01to2015-16) also revealed almost similar trend. In case of production of pulses in the state, it suffered loss in all the periods under consideration (i.e. period I, period II and overall period). However, the rate of decline in production in period II and also in the overall period was less. As regards the growth rate in productivity of pulses, it showed a positive trend over time. It increased from -0.61 in period I to 0.78 in period II for total pulses. The analysis indicated a positive trend in growth rate of productivity of total pulses, under consideration in overall period (2000-01 to 2015-16). The compound growth rate of area of the pulse crops in Madhubani district of Bihar showed a negative trend during overall period (2000-01 to 2015-16).The decline in area for red gram was higher i.e. 12.71 per cent per annum compared to other pulses. In period I(2000-01to 2007-08) area under pulse crops declined and the same trend was observed in period II(2007-08 to 2015-16).As regards production of pulses compound growth rate was negative for all the pulse crops in overall period except urad and lentil. In period I it showed a negative growth trend while it was positive for most of the pulse crops in period II. The compound growth rate of productivity was positive for overall period and period II while it was negative for some of the pulse crops in Period I. The decomposition analysis revealed that the impact on production of pulse crops in Madhubani district of Bihar in 2015-16 over 2000-01 may probably be due to the yield effect rather than area and interaction effect. On an average, the cost of cultivation per hectare of major pulses was calculated. For red gram it was Rs.22382.31, for lentil it was Rs 22138.81, for green gram it was 24857.31 and for lathyrus it was Rs14491.93.The gross returns for red gram was observed to be Rs 35180.00/ha, for lentil it was Rs 40467.00/ha, for green gram it was Rs 34240.00/ha while of lathyrus was Rs 9666.67/ha. The net profit amounted to Rs.12797.69/ha in case of red gram, Rs 18328.19/ha from lentil, Rs 9382.69/ha from green gram and Rs -4825.26/ha from lathyrus. The output input ratio was found to be 1.57 for red gram, 1.83 for lentil,1.38 for green gram and 0.67 for lathyrus. Linear regression analysis was carried out to identify the factors affecting the cultivation of pulses. Education of the farmer significantly affected red gram cultivation. Seed rate had positive and significant impact on production of lentil. Size of land holding had negative and significant impact on green gram cultivation. Pest and diseases significantly affected the production of all the pulse crops under consideration in the present study. The proportion of area under pulses to that of total area had negative and significant impact on green gram and lentil cultivation. Occurrence of flood was the most important problem in the production of red gram. Lack of storage facilities was one of the important problems faced by lentil growing farmers as it led to heavy post harvest losses. Inadequate irrigation facilities deterred farmers from growing green gram especially in case of summer crops. Lack of market facilities and decreasing consumer’s demand was the major problem faced by farmers growing lathyrus. It was found that unavailability of seeds of high yielding variety, pest and disease attack and lack of proper marketing facilities were common problems faced by most of the pulse growing farmers in the study area. Lack of awareness of the new ongoing developmental schemes and upcoming schemes and poor extension services were some other problems that led to less production of pulses.ThesisItem Open Access A study on Agri-preneurship development in Begusarai district of Bihar(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2018) Bhaskar, Deep; Sinha, D. K.The present study entitled with “A study on agri-preneurship development in Begusarai district of Bihar” was undertaken in Begusarai sadar and Matihani blocks of Begusarai district. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. First of all, secondary data was obtained from the different government agencies at the district level in order to study the trend of agri-preneurship development and primary data was collected from 60 respondents with the help of well-structured pre-tested schedule through survey method. The analysis revealed that most of the agri – preneurs belonged to middle age group (46.6 %), educated up to secondary level (30.3%), nuclear type family (60.0%), having medium family size (45.0%), small land holding (40.0%) and having farming as occupation (55.0 %). The aggregate numbers of agri-preneurship units were accounted for 1798, which were established during the period 2011-12 to 2015-16, grown with a compound growth rate of 1.78 per annum. The study showed that, on an average, per unit total cost of production of sample vermicompost was Rs.21014.03. Gross return obtained from sale of vermicompost and sale of worms were altogether Rs.55761.00. The cultivation of one acre of tissue culture Banana provided net return to the tune of Rs.178160.85 from crop-I and Rs.198030.84 from crop-II. The net return per bunch of banana was calculated Rs.110.00 and Rs.129.00 for crop-I and crop-II, respectively. The net returns from planting of one acre of high density orchard were estimated to be Rs.-22715.94, Rs.-27611.90, Rs.-20881.51, Rs.-27186.4, Rs.67560.55 and Rs.124123.37 from the respective year 0, I, II, III, IV and V (full economic return begins). Herd of eight cross breed cows fetched net income per month Rs.37562.55 during the lactation period. Lack of consumer awareness, inadequate access to training program, non-availability of loan facility, lack of finance, lack of pertinent knowledge about new innovations, lack of regular and effective training program for upgrading the know how (skill) related to agri-preneurs and low level of education were observed as important constraints faced by respondents .ThesisItem Open Access An Economic Analysis of Oilseed Production in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2018) Mounica, Ganganapalli Chandra; Sinha, D. K.The present study aimed for analyzing the oilseed production in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Five villages, namely Koccheruvu and Malkapuram from Dhone block and Katarikonda, Lakkasagaram and Tallagokulapadu villages from Krishnagiri block were selected for the purpose of the study. The three major oilseed crops in Andhra Pradesh i.e., groundnut, sunflower and castor were considered for the study. The sample size comprised of marginal (31), small (47), medium (15) and large (7) farmers and thus, respondents altogether were 100. Among them, 53 were groundnut, 19 sunflower and 28 castor sample growers. The compound growth rates of area, production and productivity of major oilseeds in the state were analyzed for 26 years, divided into 4 periods namely period-I from 1991 to 2000, period-II from 2001 to 2010, period-III from 2011 to 2016 and overall period i.e. period-IV from 1991 to 2016. It was found that area and production growth rates of groundnut were mostly negative in all the periods, but the productivity growth rates were found to be positive during period-II and III. Sunflower area growth rates declined drastically during period-III, resulting in the decrease of production even though the productivity growth rates were positive. Despite drastic shrink in the area of castor, positive production growth rates were due to comparatively large increase in the growth rates of productivity. Economics of oilseeds in the study area stated that the per hectare cost of cultivation of groundnut, sunflower and castor were estimated to be Rs.43233.88, Rs.27386.18 and Rs.18986.23, respectively. Productivity of these oilseeds were found to be 14.82, 11.75 and 14.03 quintals per hectare, respectively. Net returns per hectare were calculated to be Rs.19925.33 in groundnut, Rs.5180.33 in sunflower and Rs.33256.90 in castor cultivation. Maximum gross returns were observed in case of groundnut, however maximum net returns were obtained by castor cultivation. So far as the output-input ratio is concerned, maximum was obtained in case of castor i.e. 2.75, followed by groundnut (1.46) and sunflower (1.19). The resource use efficiency in the production of oilseeds was measured using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method. It was revealed that the mean levels of technical, allocative and cost efficiency scores were 0.70, 0.67 and 0.49, respectively for groundnut crop, 0.67, 0.69 and 0.46, respectively for sunflower crop and 0.69, 0.68 and 0.47, respectively for castor crop. Most of the marginal and small farmers were less efficient as compared to medium and large farmers. The efficiency measures observed upon the possible potentials for the improvement of TE, AE and CE. An examination of the factors influencing the production efficiency of oilseeds was done using Tobit analysis. In the production of groundnut, the factors such as education and farm size were found to be statistically significant and positively related to a farm being technically, allocatively and also economically efficient. The variable seed type was found statistically significant and positively related to AE, while it was only positively related to TE and CE. Regarding sunflower production, farm size was found to be statistically significant and positively related to a farm being technically, allocatively and economically efficient. In case of castor production, education was found to be statistically significant and positively related to AE. Family size was statistically significant and positively related to TE measures but negatively related to AE. Farm size was also found to be statistically significant and positively related to a castor farm being efficient in all the ways. Further the variable seed type was found to be statistically significant and positively related to TE measures. An attempt to identify the major constraints in the oilseeds cultivation was made using Garrett ranking technique. Lack of extension services was the major institutional constraint for oilseed crops under the study as a whole. Apart from this, on the whole, pest and disease incidence and small size of the farm in the groundnut and castor cultivation, non-availability of the suitable varieties and lack of remunerative prices in sunflower were identified major technical and socio-economic constraints, respectively. In the present circumstances of declining area under oilseed crops, it seems to be an urgent task to enhance productivity through the use of modern technologies such as development of high yielding, pest and disease resistant and drought tolerant oilseed varieties. Further, the Government and non-government organizations are also required to take appropriate steps towards educating the oilseed cultivators using effective extension tools to extend the technical know-how among the oilseed cultivators, which will certainly raise the income of the oilseed growers through efficient use of resources and also make the country self-reliant in oilseed production. Furthermore, large investments in research and extension, long-term planning and execution are required to promote long-term sustainability of the oilseed production in the study region in particular and also for the state and nation as a whole.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of Crop Insurance Scheme in selected districts of Bihar: A micro level study.(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2016) Kumari, Mrinali; Singh, K. M.At micro-level investigations have been made to estimate the adopters and non- adopters of crop insurance scheme in East Champaran and Sheohar districts of Bihar. The study was based on primary data obtained from adopter and non-adopter of crop insurance. These districts were selected as the highest number of adopter of crop insurance were found in East Champarn district and lowest number of adopter of crop insurance in Sheohar district of Bihar. Further, twenty five adopters and twenty five non-adopter of crop insurance were selected randomly from each of the two selected district. In this way, altogether 100 respondents (50 adopter and 50 non-adopter of crop insurance) were selected for the investigation in the present study. The study revealed that the large proportion of both adopter and non-adopter farmers belonged to the age group 45 years and above 40.00 per cent in case of adopter and 44.00 per cent in case of non-adopter. Majority of respondents were secondary education in both adopter and non-adopter categories i.e. 32.00 and 28.00 per cent respectively in both the districts as a whole. Income level, in both the districts, the adopter of crop insurance constituted more than the non-adopter of crop insurance irrespective of the annual income except for the highest income group (more than 150000), were found to be 14.00 percent in case of adopter and 32.00 per cent in case of non-adopter in both the districts as a whole. It was also tried to know the willingness to pay insurance premium by adopters of crop insurance. It was found that only 8.00 per cent of the respondents were willing to pay crop insurance premium in East Champaran. Similar trend was observed in Sheohar district. It was also found that most of the respondents got credit from non-institutional source i.e. private money lenders who charged high interest. They did not go to the governmental institutions due to lengthy process and were time consuming. Satisfaction level of the respondent was also worked out and it was found that most of the marginal farmers of both the districts were un-satisfied (44.00 per cent) and among small this percentage was as high as (52.00 per cent). Overall satisfaction level of both the districts under study was equal (16.00 per cent). It was also attempted to know which socio-economic variable play an important role in adoption and non-adoption of crop insurance. For this purpose discriminant analysis was carried out. The criteria for evaluation the relative contribution of each variable as discriminator between two groups are the values of standardized canonical co-efficient, structure co-efficient. It was found that among eight factors, five made positive impact and three negative to discriminate between adopter and non-adopter. The standardized co-efficient for awareness (b=0.847), satisfaction level (b=0.583) and income level (b= -0.329) are the highest contributors. To find out the constraints to adoption of crop insurance, Garrett ranking technique was used and it was found that lack of capacity to pay premium was common in both districts at second most important. However, shorter period of time allowed by the banker for applying for crop insurance was rank first in East Champaran and in case of Sheohar district the rank first given to tedious and time consuming procedures for crop insurance.ThesisItem Open Access Value Chain Study of Rice: A Comparative Study of Bihar and Karnataka States, (India)(Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), 2016) Pavithra, A. S.; Singh, K. M.The present investigation was aimed for analyzing comparative value chain addition of rice production and marketing in Bihar and Karnataka States,(India). The study was based on primary data collected from 300 stakeholders selected using simple random sampling method from two purposively selected districts East Champaran and Davangere of Bihar and Karnataka, respectively, duly categorized into paddy growers, paddy wholesalers, millers, rice wholesalers, rice retailers and consumers. In the study, farmers were the first value adding actors, farmers could earn on an average of the gross return per hectare was Rs 44,641.8 (East Champaran) and Rs 1,32,117.26 (Davangere) by cultivating paddy. The farmers sell produce after meeting their family consumption and a little quantity was left with them as marketable surplus. They added value of Rs 115.71 per quintal by drying, Rs 86.77 per quintal by selling in markets and Rs 127.27 per quintal by storing (speculation) of produce to sell in future in case of East Champaran district and in case of Davangere district, the value addition was comparatively larger then East Champaran, indicating thoroughly Rs 132.85 per quintal, Rs 123.9 per quintal and Rs 165.9 per quintal of paddy, respectively. Farmers were not aware of value chain system theoretically, but practically some of them were following these methods. Paddy wholesalers were the second important key players in rice value chain. Paddy wholesalers used to collect paddy from local farmers in both districts under investigation and supplied to the rice millers in the same areas. The wholesaler added value of average Rs 65.8 per quintal and Rs 75.67 per quintal in case of both districts under study, respectively. Rice millers were the highest and important value adder in rice value chain, rice millers were added value in three stages purchasing of paddy, milling of paddy and selling of rice. Total selling cost was found Rs 36.39 per quintal and Rs 43.58 per quintal in East Champaran (Bihar) and Davangere (Karnataka) districts, respectively. The value addition by rice millers in East Champaran district was estimated about 81.21 per cent and 26.55 per cent, shared by marketing and milling, while it was 60.63 per cent and 32.95 per cent in Davangere district, respectively. Rice wholesalers were observed as the fourth actor in value chain, they gained less value addition, showing about 10.69 per cent (323.92 Rs/ quintal) and 11.05 per cent (412.79 Rs / quintal) with respect to rice purchase price, in both of East Champaran and Davangere districts, respectively. The profit earned from rice was Rs 2.38 per kg (East Champaran) and Rs 3.11 per kg (Davangere). Rice retailers were found to be final value chain actor in the rice value chain and they received less value addition among all actors. The profit earned by marketing of rice was estimated to be Rs 2.57 per kg and Rs 3.62 per kg of rice in both the districts under study. Consumers were the ultimate person who had designated position in value chain, even though they were not main actor in value chain. It was observed that the trend for last three years of area, production and productivity of paddy produce were positive and constant growth, the productivity was found to be 42.91 quintal/ha in East Champaran, whereas in Davangere district, it was observed slightly decreasing trend, it might be due to diversification from paddy crop to other cash crops/plantation crops. Lack of remunerative price, natural calamities and release of canal water and labour shortage etc. were identified as major constraints in production of paddy. Major marketing problems faced by farmers in the study area were unstable price, financial problem, transportation facility, middlemen etc. In case of paddy wholesalers, procurement and other expenses, financial problem, market instability and price fluctuation etc. were accounted for major constraints in the study area. Market fluctuation, financial problem, irregular supplies of produce, government policy were located as major constraints which were faced by rice millers in both the selected study area. The wholesalers revealed financial problem, procurement and other expenses, price fluctuation, market instability in both the district as meet from above. In case of rice retailers it was noticed that price fluctuation, financial problem, distant market, market instability, and competition were the main problems mainly faced by rice retailers, in both the study area. Some constraints were also reported by the consumers which were artificial scarcity, variation in price, and low quality of produce, adulteration, in both the districts of both the states under study. The problems/constraints as stated above might be addressed and decision steps must be taken by the concerned authorities/ officials to raise the income level of the farming community.